Clear garbage bags should be decided by residents

January 29, 2014 · 0 Comments

(An open letter to Aurora Council)

I feel your intentions are in the right place, this program has many negative aspects and I, among others, don’t feel that it should be imposed on residents.
I have spoken with fellow Aurorans and we agree that there are issues that are not being properly thought through here. Of course, there is the privacy matter which is obviously a huge issue, but there are also other things to consider. I, for one, have at least two opaque garbage bags from various waste baskets and one large kitchen catcher bag inside my black garbage bag every pick-up day.
If these are still allowed to be put in a clear garbage bag, what’s going to stop someone from putting paint cans or batteries in those bags? Has any thought been put into the likelihood of illegal dumping increasing in our streets and parks due to this mandate?
Unfortunately, not everyone follows the rules.
There is also the matter of food waste that can’t be composted. Not only can the critters smell it, they can now see it and we all know the many raccoons and skunks that call Aurora home! There is also the availability of retailers stocking enough of these bags, as mentioned by Councillor Humfryes.
Another concern raised during discussions with neighbours is the use of outdoor garbage cans where there are no bags are required. Since you are unable to distinguish its contents, how is Council going to accommodate residents who currently put their garbage out in solid coloured cans?
With all due respect, I feel this issue should be decided by the residents of Aurora and not by nine members of council. Why not conduct a poll on the issue and gauge how residents feel about this, or better yet put in on this year’s ballot in the upcoming election and let the people have a voice in the matter?
The Province of Ontario has already gone way overboard being a “nanny state” and it saddens me to think that our great town of Aurora is following suit with this motion. I’m afraid that this proposal has the scent of the “5 cent per plastic bag” fiasco and we all know how that turned out!

Greg Gillies
Aurora